Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I asked the Taoiseach about women from Northern Ireland who might wish to avail of services in the Republic under the new legal framework that would inevitably result from the decision made by the people last Friday. I welcome his commitment to longer sittings to get the legislation through. I agree with him that the urgency of this issue for many women in our society means that we have an obligation and a mandate to ensure the passage of the legislation, the general scheme of which was published on 29 March last. He might indicate whether there was any scenario planning. I accept that people had to wait for a result, but surely some priority work on the legislation was undertaken on the basis of what was likely to happen. I would like to make an important point to the Taoiseach. I know a thing or two about the health service and stakeholders. I accept that people have their jobs to do, but we need to make it clear to the stakeholders that they cannot second-guess the decision of the people. Equally, they cannot add caveats to it on the licensing side or with regard to clinical guidelines. The people's decision is very clear. The Government has a role in making it clear to all and sundry that the decision of the people cannot be second-guessed in any shape or manner.

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